Oh my goodness-I just found out I get to be in the Vagina Monologues! Plus, I get to do "My Vagina Was My Village" and "The Vagina Workshop" pieces. Yay! I'm so excited I want to tell the world...my first performance!
I totally missed the phone call when it came because we were watching Charlie Wilson's War at home. I had the phone close by, however, I totally did not hear it vibrate. So, I checked my voicemail about an hour after the message was sent. First rehearsal is November 15th.
I'm so happy I get to perform My Village. It's so emotional and heavy and real. I really feel honored that I get to tell that story for those women impacted by rape as a tactic of war.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Audition
I went to my very first audition yesterday. I've always wanted to try acting but have been too nervous to try out. Remember, how I said I'd get to the door and not walk through. Well, yesterday, I walked through the door.
I started off on Saturday morning getting up around 8:30. My mind was giving me a list of reasons why I shouldn't go: Tempe is too far away, I don't want to commit to a time consuming project, blah, blah. I really didn't want to go, however, I told myself that if I say I am going to do something, then I need to follow through with it.
I went to Walgreens to make a copy of a picture of myself to submit with my audition application. That didn't take too long and I came back to the house to eat some breakfast and watch examples of the Vagina Monologues on youtube to familiarize myself with some of the material (I'd read the play a couple of weeks ago).
Josh had to run up to the West campus from 10:30-11:30 to check on how his event that he helped organize was going. Josh needed to be back at 11:30 exactly so I could make it on time to my 1:00 audition in Tempe (I actually needed to arrive a bit earlier than that so I could familiarize myself with the material).
At 11:45 Josh pulled into the driveway and we did a quick switch of drivers. I was off to Tempe following directions from Mapquest. Oh the joys and perils of living in a big city. T-R-A-F-F-I-C on a Saturday afternoon was killer and my Mapquest direction did not indicate the access to Interstate 10 East would be completely BLOCKED OFF! Seriously?!?! I took I-10 West and turned around on the first overpass I came to (again, mucho traffico).
Despite all the set backs, I was determined to continue trying to make it to the audition. Would you believe that when I got close to the ASU campus, I saw that it was parents' weekend AND the day of a football game? Incredible! Where in the world would I park and where in the heck in Memorial Union (student union)?
As luck would have it, I did find a meter spot that was good for a total of ONE HOUR. It was 12:35 and I needed to be in the MU by 1:00. $1.50 later, I was walking through a sea of parents and college kids, stopping to ask a complete stranger where the MU was located and being told, "Over there, ma'am." Hmm...I'm getting the "ma'am" now.
Into the MU, into the bathroom for a quick hair check and self pep talk. Onto the audition room and I'm not feeling too nervous. Just a little hands/knees shaking, buzzing in my ear sound, as I try to focus on what I'm being told regarding selecting two dramatic pieces and three comedic pieces to read and pick my favorite to present to the director/producer.
I was happy to see that my favorite piece, "My Vagina Was My Village," was an option for the dramatic piece and I decided that this was the monologue I would perform. Here is the poem:
My vagina was green, water soft pink fields, cow mooing, sun resting, sweet boyfriend touching lightly with soft piece of blonde straw.
There is something between my legs. I do not know what it is. I do not know where it is. I do not touch. Not now. Not anymore. Not since.
My vagina was chatty, can’t wait, so much, so much saying words talking, can’t quit trying, can’t quit saying, oh yes, oh yes.
Not since I dream there’s a dead animal sewn in down there with thick black fishing line. And the bad dead animal smell cannot be removed. And its throat is slit and it bleeds through all my summer dresses.
My vagina singing all girl songs, all goat bell ringing songs, all wild autumn field songs, vagina songs, vagina home songs.
Not since the soldiers put a long thick rifle inside me. So cold, the steel rod cancelling my heart. Don’t know whether they’re going to fire it or shove it through my spinning brain. Six of them, monstrous doctors with black masks shoving bottles up me too. There were sticks and the end of a broom.
My vagina swimming river water, clean spilling water over sun-baked stones, over stone clit, clit stones over and over.
Not since I heard the skin tear and made lemon screeching sounds, not since a piece of my vagina came off in my hand, a part of the lip, now one side of the lip is completely gone.
My vagina. A live wet water village. My vagina my hometown.
Not since they took turns for seven days smelling like feces and smoked meat, they left their dirty sperm inside me. I became a river of poison and puss and all the crops died, and the fish.
My vagina a live wet water village.
They invaded it. Butchered it. And burned it down.
I do not touch now.
Do not visit.
I live some place else now. I don’t know where that is.
This poem is so powerful to me that I cry/tear up every time I read it. To get me over my nerves, I started talking to one of the girls in the room while I waited. I wasn't feeling nervous when my name was called to go into the audition room.
I walked across the hallway, it felt like slow motion, I'll never forget opening the door into the room knowing that THIS IS IT. I smiled and introduced myself to the two ladies sitting at the table eating their Quizno's lunch. I took my place standing in front of them holding my script in hand.
They asked me some questions about how comfortable I was talking about vaginas, etc. And they asked why did I want to be in this show. I told them, "Honestly, I wanted to audition/act for a long time and I wasn't go to let myself back out of it anymore. I said I was determined to walk through that door today. My second motivation was to be in the show because it was about women."
When I started to read, I was so FREAKING NERVOUS. Like, my knees were shaking and my voice was wavering. Nervous like I haven't felt since giving a presentation in high school or college.
Then, it was over. They told me that they would be making call backs between 4-8 that night. I headed back to the parking lot and called Josh and my mom...trying not to cry as I walked in front of all the students and their parents again.
When I got in the car, I just cried and cried driving home. I was so emotional. I guess it was from all the adrenaline of giving the performance and being so nervous and knowing I could have done better if I had calmed myself down.
After crying, I felt very relieved and at peace. I was very proud of myself for following through and trying something new that I always wanted to do. Regardless of the outcome, I did it!
As I reached the driveway of the house, I thought about something Josh and I had talked to Nate and Laura about at Taste of Thai right before we moved to Phoenix. We were talking about whether moving to a new place would make you grow as a person. I thought it would because you would develop more flexibility and adaptability. However, now I think that while that is true, you also have to keep challenging yourself with new experiences if you want to grow as a person. I'm growing!
I was a bit drained after that experience so I laid down to take a nap. Around 6:00 the phone rang and it was Alissa, the director, calling to invite me to a call back on Sunday. Yay! I must not have been too terrible! That phone call gave me some confidence to bring into the audition today.
So, since my call back was at 10:50 on Sunday, Josh and I decided to go to the Saturday service at CCV that began at 6:15. We ended up being 15 minutes late but were able to hear the entire service. The church campus is BEAUTIFUL at night. Normally, Josh and I go to the Alternative Service building, however, on Saturday night, only the Contemporary Service hall is open. It's all very nice, new, and BIG.
After the service we walked around for a bit...there's a cafeteria on site, an outdoor grill area where they serve hot dogs and hamburgers, a really nice outdoor fireplace area, and all the palm trees are lit and festive looking.
We came home and we picked up the house a bit before watching SNL and going to bed.
This morning, I woke up at 8:30 and got ready to drive to Tempe again. The drive wasn't so bad...until I got close to the ASU campus and saw that the ARIZONA IRON MAN competition was going on!!! What the freak-how am I supposed to get to campus, let alone park?!?
Fortunately, time was on my side (for the most part). After following the orange cones of part of the competition course (an obstacle course for drivers while bicyclists and runners are passing me in my vehicle), I made a huge loop and parked in the football stadium parking lot. The stadium is a good 1 to 1.5 mile trek to the MU and all I knew was that from where I was located, the MU was SOUTH so that's the direction I started walking.
I just typed walking, however, I was RUNNING. I had 20 minutes before my assigned time and I wanted to be able to view the material before reading again. Eventually, I reached the MU and had time to wipe the sweat off my brow in the bathroom before entering the audition room.
This time, there were a bunch of girls in there and lots of different script selections. Alissa told me I would be reading "My Vagina Was My Village" and "The Vagina Workshop" as part of an ensemble cast. I read the new material for about 5 minutes before being called into another room with 4 other ladies to read.
We each had different sections to read and it was fun to see others perform and to perform myself. I was not nervous like yesterday at all. I liked it.
That piece done, I returned to the waiting area and reviewed the other piece. Soon enough, one other girl and I were called in to read the Village piece. Alissa told us that this piece is very "bi-polar" as it shifts from happy to sad and that she thought about two people speaking during this piece but we each would perform the entire piece independently.
Honestly, I thought the other girl, who read first, was flat and lacked energy. Not saying that my acting ability was Wowie or anything but I did do more than just stand there a read without inflection.
My turn again...not nervous...I love that poem.
I thought that was all for me but when I went into the waiting room, they asked me to review and read one more piece. I familiarized myself with it and then spent time talking to a girl who has traveled heaps all over the world. I went in and read my last piece, not so connected to the material but still having a good time.
Alissa said that they will call by 9:00 tonight with their selections. Sure, it would be GREAT to be validated by being selected (and, I would really like to perform the Village poem), however, I feel like I kinda already have been validated at this point AND I wouldn't have to drive to TEMPE again :)
Now, I know I can audition and no one can take that away from me. I did something I've always wanted to do. Now, I'll just look for auditions in Glendale and the West campus :)
I started off on Saturday morning getting up around 8:30. My mind was giving me a list of reasons why I shouldn't go: Tempe is too far away, I don't want to commit to a time consuming project, blah, blah. I really didn't want to go, however, I told myself that if I say I am going to do something, then I need to follow through with it.
I went to Walgreens to make a copy of a picture of myself to submit with my audition application. That didn't take too long and I came back to the house to eat some breakfast and watch examples of the Vagina Monologues on youtube to familiarize myself with some of the material (I'd read the play a couple of weeks ago).
Josh had to run up to the West campus from 10:30-11:30 to check on how his event that he helped organize was going. Josh needed to be back at 11:30 exactly so I could make it on time to my 1:00 audition in Tempe (I actually needed to arrive a bit earlier than that so I could familiarize myself with the material).
At 11:45 Josh pulled into the driveway and we did a quick switch of drivers. I was off to Tempe following directions from Mapquest. Oh the joys and perils of living in a big city. T-R-A-F-F-I-C on a Saturday afternoon was killer and my Mapquest direction did not indicate the access to Interstate 10 East would be completely BLOCKED OFF! Seriously?!?! I took I-10 West and turned around on the first overpass I came to (again, mucho traffico).
Despite all the set backs, I was determined to continue trying to make it to the audition. Would you believe that when I got close to the ASU campus, I saw that it was parents' weekend AND the day of a football game? Incredible! Where in the world would I park and where in the heck in Memorial Union (student union)?
As luck would have it, I did find a meter spot that was good for a total of ONE HOUR. It was 12:35 and I needed to be in the MU by 1:00. $1.50 later, I was walking through a sea of parents and college kids, stopping to ask a complete stranger where the MU was located and being told, "Over there, ma'am." Hmm...I'm getting the "ma'am" now.
Into the MU, into the bathroom for a quick hair check and self pep talk. Onto the audition room and I'm not feeling too nervous. Just a little hands/knees shaking, buzzing in my ear sound, as I try to focus on what I'm being told regarding selecting two dramatic pieces and three comedic pieces to read and pick my favorite to present to the director/producer.
I was happy to see that my favorite piece, "My Vagina Was My Village," was an option for the dramatic piece and I decided that this was the monologue I would perform. Here is the poem:
My vagina was green, water soft pink fields, cow mooing, sun resting, sweet boyfriend touching lightly with soft piece of blonde straw.
There is something between my legs. I do not know what it is. I do not know where it is. I do not touch. Not now. Not anymore. Not since.
My vagina was chatty, can’t wait, so much, so much saying words talking, can’t quit trying, can’t quit saying, oh yes, oh yes.
Not since I dream there’s a dead animal sewn in down there with thick black fishing line. And the bad dead animal smell cannot be removed. And its throat is slit and it bleeds through all my summer dresses.
My vagina singing all girl songs, all goat bell ringing songs, all wild autumn field songs, vagina songs, vagina home songs.
Not since the soldiers put a long thick rifle inside me. So cold, the steel rod cancelling my heart. Don’t know whether they’re going to fire it or shove it through my spinning brain. Six of them, monstrous doctors with black masks shoving bottles up me too. There were sticks and the end of a broom.
My vagina swimming river water, clean spilling water over sun-baked stones, over stone clit, clit stones over and over.
Not since I heard the skin tear and made lemon screeching sounds, not since a piece of my vagina came off in my hand, a part of the lip, now one side of the lip is completely gone.
My vagina. A live wet water village. My vagina my hometown.
Not since they took turns for seven days smelling like feces and smoked meat, they left their dirty sperm inside me. I became a river of poison and puss and all the crops died, and the fish.
My vagina a live wet water village.
They invaded it. Butchered it. And burned it down.
I do not touch now.
Do not visit.
I live some place else now. I don’t know where that is.
This poem is so powerful to me that I cry/tear up every time I read it. To get me over my nerves, I started talking to one of the girls in the room while I waited. I wasn't feeling nervous when my name was called to go into the audition room.
I walked across the hallway, it felt like slow motion, I'll never forget opening the door into the room knowing that THIS IS IT. I smiled and introduced myself to the two ladies sitting at the table eating their Quizno's lunch. I took my place standing in front of them holding my script in hand.
They asked me some questions about how comfortable I was talking about vaginas, etc. And they asked why did I want to be in this show. I told them, "Honestly, I wanted to audition/act for a long time and I wasn't go to let myself back out of it anymore. I said I was determined to walk through that door today. My second motivation was to be in the show because it was about women."
When I started to read, I was so FREAKING NERVOUS. Like, my knees were shaking and my voice was wavering. Nervous like I haven't felt since giving a presentation in high school or college.
Then, it was over. They told me that they would be making call backs between 4-8 that night. I headed back to the parking lot and called Josh and my mom...trying not to cry as I walked in front of all the students and their parents again.
When I got in the car, I just cried and cried driving home. I was so emotional. I guess it was from all the adrenaline of giving the performance and being so nervous and knowing I could have done better if I had calmed myself down.
After crying, I felt very relieved and at peace. I was very proud of myself for following through and trying something new that I always wanted to do. Regardless of the outcome, I did it!
As I reached the driveway of the house, I thought about something Josh and I had talked to Nate and Laura about at Taste of Thai right before we moved to Phoenix. We were talking about whether moving to a new place would make you grow as a person. I thought it would because you would develop more flexibility and adaptability. However, now I think that while that is true, you also have to keep challenging yourself with new experiences if you want to grow as a person. I'm growing!
I was a bit drained after that experience so I laid down to take a nap. Around 6:00 the phone rang and it was Alissa, the director, calling to invite me to a call back on Sunday. Yay! I must not have been too terrible! That phone call gave me some confidence to bring into the audition today.
So, since my call back was at 10:50 on Sunday, Josh and I decided to go to the Saturday service at CCV that began at 6:15. We ended up being 15 minutes late but were able to hear the entire service. The church campus is BEAUTIFUL at night. Normally, Josh and I go to the Alternative Service building, however, on Saturday night, only the Contemporary Service hall is open. It's all very nice, new, and BIG.
After the service we walked around for a bit...there's a cafeteria on site, an outdoor grill area where they serve hot dogs and hamburgers, a really nice outdoor fireplace area, and all the palm trees are lit and festive looking.
We came home and we picked up the house a bit before watching SNL and going to bed.
This morning, I woke up at 8:30 and got ready to drive to Tempe again. The drive wasn't so bad...until I got close to the ASU campus and saw that the ARIZONA IRON MAN competition was going on!!! What the freak-how am I supposed to get to campus, let alone park?!?
Fortunately, time was on my side (for the most part). After following the orange cones of part of the competition course (an obstacle course for drivers while bicyclists and runners are passing me in my vehicle), I made a huge loop and parked in the football stadium parking lot. The stadium is a good 1 to 1.5 mile trek to the MU and all I knew was that from where I was located, the MU was SOUTH so that's the direction I started walking.
I just typed walking, however, I was RUNNING. I had 20 minutes before my assigned time and I wanted to be able to view the material before reading again. Eventually, I reached the MU and had time to wipe the sweat off my brow in the bathroom before entering the audition room.
This time, there were a bunch of girls in there and lots of different script selections. Alissa told me I would be reading "My Vagina Was My Village" and "The Vagina Workshop" as part of an ensemble cast. I read the new material for about 5 minutes before being called into another room with 4 other ladies to read.
We each had different sections to read and it was fun to see others perform and to perform myself. I was not nervous like yesterday at all. I liked it.
That piece done, I returned to the waiting area and reviewed the other piece. Soon enough, one other girl and I were called in to read the Village piece. Alissa told us that this piece is very "bi-polar" as it shifts from happy to sad and that she thought about two people speaking during this piece but we each would perform the entire piece independently.
Honestly, I thought the other girl, who read first, was flat and lacked energy. Not saying that my acting ability was Wowie or anything but I did do more than just stand there a read without inflection.
My turn again...not nervous...I love that poem.
I thought that was all for me but when I went into the waiting room, they asked me to review and read one more piece. I familiarized myself with it and then spent time talking to a girl who has traveled heaps all over the world. I went in and read my last piece, not so connected to the material but still having a good time.
Alissa said that they will call by 9:00 tonight with their selections. Sure, it would be GREAT to be validated by being selected (and, I would really like to perform the Village poem), however, I feel like I kinda already have been validated at this point AND I wouldn't have to drive to TEMPE again :)
Now, I know I can audition and no one can take that away from me. I did something I've always wanted to do. Now, I'll just look for auditions in Glendale and the West campus :)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Birthday Pictures
Melting Pot fondue dinner October 17, 2008
Flowers and candy corn from Josh on my birthday. We'd spent two separate shopping trips to Walmart looking for candy corn without success. Josh went to the grocery store to buy me some for my birthday. He also gave me money to use at a spa during our travels. Oh, but I'll never do a couples massage with Josh again after our experience in Queenstown, New Zealand last year-think Josh's bed creaking as the girl is really working him over and I'm trying to relax to that atrocious noise!
I liked how we had pink and blue utensils.
I need wine if I'm going to be cooking my own food, ya'll.
Best dessert I've had in awhile-the chocolate fondue had melted marshmellows in it.
I wish I could remember what was so funny! We always love to crack jokes though.
Josh working on the water pipes at the front of the house all weekend.
Birthday cupcakes....worth the calorie splurge.
So much to do before the big 3-0 next year.
Flowers and candy corn from Josh on my birthday. We'd spent two separate shopping trips to Walmart looking for candy corn without success. Josh went to the grocery store to buy me some for my birthday. He also gave me money to use at a spa during our travels. Oh, but I'll never do a couples massage with Josh again after our experience in Queenstown, New Zealand last year-think Josh's bed creaking as the girl is really working him over and I'm trying to relax to that atrocious noise!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
29th Birthday!
So, my birthday celebrations started on Friday, October 17th. On Friday night, Josh and I made a 9:00 reservation for the Melting Pot (fondue restaurant) in Scottsdale. Scottsdale is 45 minutes from Glendale. We arrived to the restaurant at 8:15 or so...so, we had to wait.
Around 9, we began the whole fondue experience. We started with cheese fondue with bread and veggies to dip (just okay). Then, we had a very ordinary tasting Ceaser salad. Then, the meats came out (salmon, filet mignon, tenderloin, chicken, and shrimp). Each meat had a different dipping sauce to try. At this point, I felt like I was going to puke. I don't think the human body is designed to eat/digest various types of meat products at the same time. Not to mention the fact that you're paying top dollar for the experience of cooking your own food, and, in our case it was about 11:00 at night and we were the only people left in the restaurant.
That said, we had to get dessert (because we had a free coupon and who doesn't want to eat chocolate fondue?). Dessert was by far the best part of our dining experience. We won't be going back to the Melting Pot ever again (too far away and pricey), however, if you go, I recommend only getting dessert there.
On Saturday, Josh and I mainly stayed at home and watched videos. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is the best movie we've watched in awhile. We've seen some real stupid videos lately like Speed Racer, Choking Man, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Wristcutters (well, Wristcutters was okay...somewhat interesting and I really liked the ending).
On Sunday, we went to church although we were running behind schedule. Josh had been dealing with a small water leak on the outdoor pipes on the front of the house (the ones that give water to all our plants in the front yard). At church, we had to sit at the very front row and our view was looking straight up at the screens (just like you want to avoid when you go to the movies). CCV is doing a series on money and finances. It's really good and interesting.
Josh and I ate some lunch out from Pick Up Stix (oh my goodness, the Pad Thai was horrible!). We did some grocery shopping at Walmart after that. It was at Walmart, standing in line at the bakery, where I had an interesting conversation with a stranger.
I was trying to decide between cupcakes or a small birthday cake for myself. This slightly overweight, middle age lady looks at me and says, "You shouldn't eat that if you want to keep your nice figure." I'm thinking, "Hello! It's my birthday!" The lady proceeded to tell me that she used to weigh 108 pounds before having 3 kids and gaining 60 pounds. Now, she's on Weight Watchers and counting her points.
She then told Josh that he, and other guys, can pull off the extra weight that they carry around. By the end of the conversation, I was really wondering whether or not I wanted to buy myself any dessert. However, I came to my senses, and noted that I would just eat cupcakes rather than having kids, and I'll be able to keep my figure that way :)
That evening, Josh and I went to watch W. at the movie theater. I thought the acting was good and it was an interesting story. When the movie ended, however, the older couple sitting behind us were pretty vocal about how they thought the movie was a bunch of crap. I don't know the reasons why they thought it was crap, but apparently, they didn't like it. I couldn't believe it cost almost $20 for two movie tickets...now that, is crap!
We did get free popcorn, however, since Josh told the girl that tomorrow was my birthday. I swear I felt like a teenage girl about to die from embarrassment when he said that...but, the popcorn with cheddar cheese flakes that you can dump on it from a canister, was delicious.
On Monday, my actual birthday, Josh had a crazy work day so we didn't see each other but in passing throughout the day. My day start off by getting lots of facebook messages and e-cards from friends which was super nice. Then, later in the day at work, my coworkers completely surprised me with a card, balloon, and brownies. The birthday card was PERFECT, too. Something about me being a strawberry in a bowl full of peas. The notes written inside were really nice and thoughtful, too. Later in the day, just before work ended, two of my tutors brought me cookies they'd bought from the cafeteria downstairs. That was just too sweet of them!
I ended up staying at work until 9:45 because Josh was still running his event i.e. taking people out to eat dinner at an Italian restaurant. I was able to get work done at least, however, even working an extra three hours that night left 11 things on my to do list.
Speaking of to do list, you know that you're either stressed, crazy, or both when you start waking up from your dreams in the middle of the night (almost every night) thinking that there was something SO IMPORTANT that you forgot to do. In my case, I keep waking up thinking that there is someone I was supposed to interview or hire for the tutoring job that I forgot about.
In reality, I don't think I've forgotten to do anything major for my job...except to pay a tutor one week but that got worked out and I learned from the experience :), and yet, it feels SO REAL that there is a situation that I am missing the boat on. Like, I'm seriously racking my brain in the daytime hours about what is keeping me up at night. I almost wonder if there will be an event that happens in the future and all this stuff I've been thinking about will have been a foreshadowing of it...okay, I'm crazy.
That's my life in a nutshell. I'm still working on the teaching idea...there may be a way to teach middle school Social Studies that I'm looking into. This weekend, I think Josh and I are just going to relax and continue to try to put the house in order. We made some progress with the office earlier this week. Whoa, I just had a thought that it's practically Thursday already. I've NEVER worked somewhere that time went by so fast!!! We have plans to go camping with a high school friend who is living in San Diego pretty soon, my mom's coming to visit, and then we get to go to Mexico.
I'll post pictures later...our computer/camera is having issues.
Around 9, we began the whole fondue experience. We started with cheese fondue with bread and veggies to dip (just okay). Then, we had a very ordinary tasting Ceaser salad. Then, the meats came out (salmon, filet mignon, tenderloin, chicken, and shrimp). Each meat had a different dipping sauce to try. At this point, I felt like I was going to puke. I don't think the human body is designed to eat/digest various types of meat products at the same time. Not to mention the fact that you're paying top dollar for the experience of cooking your own food, and, in our case it was about 11:00 at night and we were the only people left in the restaurant.
That said, we had to get dessert (because we had a free coupon and who doesn't want to eat chocolate fondue?). Dessert was by far the best part of our dining experience. We won't be going back to the Melting Pot ever again (too far away and pricey), however, if you go, I recommend only getting dessert there.
On Saturday, Josh and I mainly stayed at home and watched videos. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is the best movie we've watched in awhile. We've seen some real stupid videos lately like Speed Racer, Choking Man, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Wristcutters (well, Wristcutters was okay...somewhat interesting and I really liked the ending).
On Sunday, we went to church although we were running behind schedule. Josh had been dealing with a small water leak on the outdoor pipes on the front of the house (the ones that give water to all our plants in the front yard). At church, we had to sit at the very front row and our view was looking straight up at the screens (just like you want to avoid when you go to the movies). CCV is doing a series on money and finances. It's really good and interesting.
Josh and I ate some lunch out from Pick Up Stix (oh my goodness, the Pad Thai was horrible!). We did some grocery shopping at Walmart after that. It was at Walmart, standing in line at the bakery, where I had an interesting conversation with a stranger.
I was trying to decide between cupcakes or a small birthday cake for myself. This slightly overweight, middle age lady looks at me and says, "You shouldn't eat that if you want to keep your nice figure." I'm thinking, "Hello! It's my birthday!" The lady proceeded to tell me that she used to weigh 108 pounds before having 3 kids and gaining 60 pounds. Now, she's on Weight Watchers and counting her points.
She then told Josh that he, and other guys, can pull off the extra weight that they carry around. By the end of the conversation, I was really wondering whether or not I wanted to buy myself any dessert. However, I came to my senses, and noted that I would just eat cupcakes rather than having kids, and I'll be able to keep my figure that way :)
That evening, Josh and I went to watch W. at the movie theater. I thought the acting was good and it was an interesting story. When the movie ended, however, the older couple sitting behind us were pretty vocal about how they thought the movie was a bunch of crap. I don't know the reasons why they thought it was crap, but apparently, they didn't like it. I couldn't believe it cost almost $20 for two movie tickets...now that, is crap!
We did get free popcorn, however, since Josh told the girl that tomorrow was my birthday. I swear I felt like a teenage girl about to die from embarrassment when he said that...but, the popcorn with cheddar cheese flakes that you can dump on it from a canister, was delicious.
On Monday, my actual birthday, Josh had a crazy work day so we didn't see each other but in passing throughout the day. My day start off by getting lots of facebook messages and e-cards from friends which was super nice. Then, later in the day at work, my coworkers completely surprised me with a card, balloon, and brownies. The birthday card was PERFECT, too. Something about me being a strawberry in a bowl full of peas. The notes written inside were really nice and thoughtful, too. Later in the day, just before work ended, two of my tutors brought me cookies they'd bought from the cafeteria downstairs. That was just too sweet of them!
I ended up staying at work until 9:45 because Josh was still running his event i.e. taking people out to eat dinner at an Italian restaurant. I was able to get work done at least, however, even working an extra three hours that night left 11 things on my to do list.
Speaking of to do list, you know that you're either stressed, crazy, or both when you start waking up from your dreams in the middle of the night (almost every night) thinking that there was something SO IMPORTANT that you forgot to do. In my case, I keep waking up thinking that there is someone I was supposed to interview or hire for the tutoring job that I forgot about.
In reality, I don't think I've forgotten to do anything major for my job...except to pay a tutor one week but that got worked out and I learned from the experience :), and yet, it feels SO REAL that there is a situation that I am missing the boat on. Like, I'm seriously racking my brain in the daytime hours about what is keeping me up at night. I almost wonder if there will be an event that happens in the future and all this stuff I've been thinking about will have been a foreshadowing of it...okay, I'm crazy.
That's my life in a nutshell. I'm still working on the teaching idea...there may be a way to teach middle school Social Studies that I'm looking into. This weekend, I think Josh and I are just going to relax and continue to try to put the house in order. We made some progress with the office earlier this week. Whoa, I just had a thought that it's practically Thursday already. I've NEVER worked somewhere that time went by so fast!!! We have plans to go camping with a high school friend who is living in San Diego pretty soon, my mom's coming to visit, and then we get to go to Mexico.
I'll post pictures later...our computer/camera is having issues.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Camping... Almost!
Before I get to the camping story, last Sunday, Josh and I climbed a hill at Thunderbird Preserve which is about 5 minutes from our house. The big accomplishment of the day?...Making it up the hill without having to stop to catch our breath. For the last week or so, we've started taking 30 minute walk/jogs in the morning (our loop is about 2 miles long). We plan to increase the speed/distance over time. Anyway, the pictures below are of the view from the top of the hill. Love the Valley.
We've also been eating some of our dinners outside this week because the weather's cooled off. We turn the fountain on and listen to the water fall as we eat...it's so nice!
So, camping. Josh and I have been talking about camping for awhile. Yesterday, we finally got around to it. After loading up the car and stopping by Walmart for some supplies (propane, pancake mix, hot dogs, snacks), we were off. Well, we tried to be off. Seriously, who knew that two college educated people WITH A MAP no less, could take over an hour trying to get out of the city...what a couple of goofballs.
Anyway, we did eventually make it over to Interstate 17 going north toward Flagstaff. It was so cool to see the landscape change and the temperature decrease as we headed north and into higher elevation. About 2 hours into drive, we reached the Coconino National Forest and drove down a dirt road until we found an excellent pull off in which to camp...heck, there was already a HUGE fire pit already constructed and a great flat area to pitch the tent.
Josh and I set up the tent, gathered firewood, and built the fire. Next, we cooked our hot dogs, drank some beers and ate our snacks. We sat around the fire after eating as the sun set. It was getting chilly, so I put on all the clothes I'd brought: jeans, sweatpants, tank top, long sleeve shirt, hoodie sweater, zip up fleece, jacket, coat, hat, and gloves. Still kinda cold. 
Josh and I decided we didn't need to try to impress anyone by sleeping out in the woods in the near freezing temps (it was 36 degrees when we left the campsite at 7:30). Besides, we'd done the main things we'd wanted to: having a campfire and roasting hot dogs.
It was the best decision. We had a good time and then we were able to take a hot shower and sleep in our warm bed...doesn't get better than that.
Today, we went to church, went out for lunch at the Texas Roadhouse, and went shopping at Walmart where we bought some hibiscus flowers for our back porch. We also bought a small tree for our front porch because the original tree was broken in a strong wind storm a few weeks ago.
I'm looking forward to my mom's visit in three weeks and trying to decide if I want to try to teach middle school science as an alternative pathway teacher since no one wants/needs social studies teachers. I'm not really feeling the science route, however, after two years of that, I'd be certified and could try to teach social studies. I guess if one feels absolutely no motivation/interest to do something, they probably shouldn't pursue it, huh?!?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Phoenix
Well, it hit me again last night. The thought that, man, I love living in Phoenix. This time I had that thought as we were leaving the Cheesecake Factory after dinner. Used to be that Josh and I would have to drive up to Kansas City if we wanted to eat at the Cheesecake Factory (well, apparently they have a CF in Tulsa but we had no reason to go to Tulsa). Kansas City is a 4 hour drive from Fayetteville. It is SO NICE living in a city that has all the major chain restaurants yet it doesn't feel like a big city out here.
I don't know if I've written this before, but I've certainly thought it and talked to a few people out here about it: I don't know if I can go back to Arkansas or move somewhere that's smaller/less populated. At the same time, I don't think I want to live anywhere bigger than Phoenix either. I'm sure Josh will be ready to pick up and leave here at some point (and maybe I will, too) but I just have to follow the sun wherever we go. Who knows? I certainly never thought I'd live in Phoenix.
My sickness has progressed from a sore throat to a cough/runny nose. Nice. I had to present tutor orientation yesterday while half-hoarse. I still was my animated self and got some good feedback from my boss. I have so much work that I plan to do it tomorrow (Sunday) before the craziness begins again on Monday. This job has kept me insanely busy and the time flies...I need more time!
It's FINALLY cooled off here. By cool down, I mean it's no longer in the 100s, it's 82 today but back up to 95 on Tuesday. Today is actually really gray and cloudy. I haven't ever really seen it look like this here before. We have the sliding glass doors open and the fans on instead of the AC for the first time.
I really feel like Phoenix is another planet/in another universe. Here I am, wearing a tank top and short skirt in OCTOBER...back home it's truly fall. I've seen pictures of my friends in other states wearing SWEATERS....SWEATERS!!! It's hard to believe that elsewhere in the states, it's cooled off. In Phoenix, it's really hard to realize that it's not summer...besides the fact that school's in session, college football's on tv, and the sun sets earlier.
Today our community hosted a yard sale. That means so many people in the neighborhood opened up shop and I was in garage sale NIRVANA! Not only was it great because I didn't have to drive far but also I was able to get some really cute clothes for our upcoming trip to Mexico! Yes, Mexico. Josh and I have gone from having a plan to visit Mexico to actually booking our trip to Excellence Playa Mujeres for 5 nights (it's all the vacay/holiday time I could scrap together). After a few more weeks of work, I will be so ready for my vacay! Heck, I'm ready now!
My mom has decided to fly out to visit us in early November. This is a HUGE step for her because the last time she flew 5 years ago she had so much jaw pain that she said she would never fly again. Well, she's flying (and I had a nightmare last night that she arrived from her flight very cranky) so I hope she has no pain so her trip will be enjoyable. We'll go up to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while she's here. Yay...I love planning trips and it will be so good to see her.
Of course, I'm having a good laugh at myself over all this trying to take time off for my mom's visit and out trip to Mexico. I mean, I've worked at ASU since mid-August and I earn an abysmal 6.7 hours of vacation per month. When I come back from Mexico, I'll have .37 hours of vacation leftover...what's that, like 15 minutes?!?! What they didn't realize when they hired me was that I would be using all my vacay time and if it comes to it, I might even take a leave without pay so I can travel somewhere! Personally, I think it's sad that I earn MORE sick leave than vacation time....SUPER GRRRR!
This might be crazy to say, but for the first time, I think I'm looking forward to going to church. That's how great CCV is. It lasts longer than other services I've experienced in Arkansas, however, it doesn't seem long and it's not boring and I never catch myself thinking, "When is this going to be over," or "What's for lunch?" So, I like it.
Okay, onto more relaxing for the weekend...except for the fact that Josh and I should do more to put the house together so we can invite Joyce and Gary, the real estate agents, over to see the house because they still have our housewarming gift 2 months later :)
I don't know if I've written this before, but I've certainly thought it and talked to a few people out here about it: I don't know if I can go back to Arkansas or move somewhere that's smaller/less populated. At the same time, I don't think I want to live anywhere bigger than Phoenix either. I'm sure Josh will be ready to pick up and leave here at some point (and maybe I will, too) but I just have to follow the sun wherever we go. Who knows? I certainly never thought I'd live in Phoenix.
My sickness has progressed from a sore throat to a cough/runny nose. Nice. I had to present tutor orientation yesterday while half-hoarse. I still was my animated self and got some good feedback from my boss. I have so much work that I plan to do it tomorrow (Sunday) before the craziness begins again on Monday. This job has kept me insanely busy and the time flies...I need more time!
It's FINALLY cooled off here. By cool down, I mean it's no longer in the 100s, it's 82 today but back up to 95 on Tuesday. Today is actually really gray and cloudy. I haven't ever really seen it look like this here before. We have the sliding glass doors open and the fans on instead of the AC for the first time.
I really feel like Phoenix is another planet/in another universe. Here I am, wearing a tank top and short skirt in OCTOBER...back home it's truly fall. I've seen pictures of my friends in other states wearing SWEATERS....SWEATERS!!! It's hard to believe that elsewhere in the states, it's cooled off. In Phoenix, it's really hard to realize that it's not summer...besides the fact that school's in session, college football's on tv, and the sun sets earlier.
Today our community hosted a yard sale. That means so many people in the neighborhood opened up shop and I was in garage sale NIRVANA! Not only was it great because I didn't have to drive far but also I was able to get some really cute clothes for our upcoming trip to Mexico! Yes, Mexico. Josh and I have gone from having a plan to visit Mexico to actually booking our trip to Excellence Playa Mujeres for 5 nights (it's all the vacay/holiday time I could scrap together). After a few more weeks of work, I will be so ready for my vacay! Heck, I'm ready now!
My mom has decided to fly out to visit us in early November. This is a HUGE step for her because the last time she flew 5 years ago she had so much jaw pain that she said she would never fly again. Well, she's flying (and I had a nightmare last night that she arrived from her flight very cranky) so I hope she has no pain so her trip will be enjoyable. We'll go up to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas while she's here. Yay...I love planning trips and it will be so good to see her.
Of course, I'm having a good laugh at myself over all this trying to take time off for my mom's visit and out trip to Mexico. I mean, I've worked at ASU since mid-August and I earn an abysmal 6.7 hours of vacation per month. When I come back from Mexico, I'll have .37 hours of vacation leftover...what's that, like 15 minutes?!?! What they didn't realize when they hired me was that I would be using all my vacay time and if it comes to it, I might even take a leave without pay so I can travel somewhere! Personally, I think it's sad that I earn MORE sick leave than vacation time....SUPER GRRRR!
This might be crazy to say, but for the first time, I think I'm looking forward to going to church. That's how great CCV is. It lasts longer than other services I've experienced in Arkansas, however, it doesn't seem long and it's not boring and I never catch myself thinking, "When is this going to be over," or "What's for lunch?" So, I like it.
Okay, onto more relaxing for the weekend...except for the fact that Josh and I should do more to put the house together so we can invite Joyce and Gary, the real estate agents, over to see the house because they still have our housewarming gift 2 months later :)
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